The sustainable production of coffee, and indeed other crops, is more of a cultural rather than environmental commitment according to the manager of the largest coffee farm in the United States.
Employment
Return to work policies should be informed by a human-centred approach that puts rights and international labour standards at the heart of economic, social and environmental strategies and ensures that policy guidance is embedded in national occupational safety and health systems. Two guidance documents for creating safe and effective return-to-work conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic have been issued by the International Labour Organization ().
The COVID-19 crisis has exposed gaps in social protection coverage in developing countries, and recovery will only be sustained, and future crises prevented if they can transform their ad hoc crisis response measures into social protection systems, according to the . While the virus does not discriminate between rich and poor, its effects are highly uneven. The brief also warns policymakers to avoid a singular focus on COVID-19 and not reduce access to care for other conditions.
New health training facilities for aspiring midwives are helping Ghana build a future where better healthcare can be a reality for all its people.
The Director-General of the describes the task before us of building a future of work which tackles the injustices that the pandemic has highlighted.
COVID-19 has disrupted billions of lives and endangered the global economy. The (IMF) has announced a global recession, and the (ILO) expects workers will lose as much as $3.4 trillion in income by the end of 2020. Full or partial lockdown measures are now affecting almost 2.7 billion workers, representing around 81 per cent of the world鈥檚 workforce. The United Nations calls for a global response to match the scale of the crisis as countries roll out emergency stimulus packages to support livelihoods.
Recognizing the great challenge whole societies are facing worldwide to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, the World Day for Safety and Health at Work will focus on addressing the outbreak of infectious diseases at work, in particular, on the COVID-19 response. Governments, employers, workers and their organizations face enormous challenges as they try to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and protect safety and health at work. Additional concerns include resuming activity in a manner that sustains progress made in suppressing transmission.
Collective efforts and solidarity between employers and workers organizations is critical to respond effectively to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the world of work. COVID-19 has in many parts of the world jeopardized the health and safety of millions of people, and put immense pressure on businesses, jobs, and livelihoods. In crisis settings, collaboration and dialogue between employers and business membership and workers鈥 organizations can boost accelerated recovery.
The is expected to wipe out 6.7 per cent of working hours globally in the second quarter of 2020 鈥 equivalent to 195 million full-time workers. Huge losses are expected across different income groups especially in upper-middle income countries (7 per cent, 100 million full-time workers). This far exceeds the effects of the 2008-9 financial crisis. The sectors most at risk include accommodation and food services, manufacturing, retail, and business and administrative activities.
The world of work is being profoundly affected by the global virus pandemic. In addition to the threat to public health, the economic and social disruption threatens the long-term livelihoods and wellbeing of millions.
A new assessment by the (ILO) shows the COVID-19 pandemic could increase global unemployment by around 25 million.
It is not long since Abolghasem, a 36-year old resident of Se-Qale Town in the eastern province of South Khorasan, used to mine black stones for the cobbled streets that adorn cities. He still works with stones 鈥 but of the multi-coloured kind that adorn people. Encouraged by his wife, Fatemeh, he took a course on gemstone work held by the FAO. The spouses acquired all the skills and purchased all the equipment needed to start their gemstone business with a loan also supported by the project.
The lack of decent work opportunities exacerbates inequalities among societies. Not only are growing inequalities preventing people from achieving their full potential, they are also putting a burden on economies. The only way we are going to achieve social justice, tackle inequality, reduce poverty and address climate change, is if we put people and planet first, says the (ILO). On Social Justice Day 2020, under the theme 鈥淐losing the Inequalities Gap to Achieve Social Justice,鈥 the ILO is asking you to tell policy makers around the world, why is important to you, using the hashtag #MyFutureOurPlanet.
Necessity led Fatemeh to discover her potential for business. encourages women in rural communities to take a leading role in starting and running community businesses.
The is calling on individuals and organizations to share innovative ideas and solutions to address the skills mismatch challenge. The will recognise and support the development of solutions that aim to address the different forms and dimensions of skills mismatch. Submission deadline for ideas: 13 April 2020 (midnight, Geneva time).